Jody v. Running

Well, here I am again. Back at the beginning.
Since I last blogged, running and I have been through a lot. We were separated by injury - a huge bummer. Then, I lost sight of running all together when the day job took over my life in May, resulting in lost sleep and major junk food intake. During the month of June, running and I were in a fight. Let's just say runners aren't the only ones heartbroken when high temps force a race to close early. We planners suffer right along with you.
Until just a few days ago, I was still giving running the silent treatment. Then, out of the blue, my husband suggested we go for a run. In order for you to understand how random this actually was, I have been with my husband for almost 10 years (married for 3) and we have never run together. Ever.
I whined and pouted but I couldn't turn down this opportunity to hang out with my hubby, so I laced up those (somewhat dusty) running shoes and we headed out. We ran and walked for what was probably about 3 miles and, though it was not anything like my formerly magical running experiences, I felt like maybe running and I were on the mend. I did not, however, expect to feel motivated to run again any time soon. Then, along came an absolutely gorgeous day and that long-quieted runner voice crept back into my head and pulled me toward the door. I was only out for about half an hour, but I started to remember why running and I were friends in the first place.
We're definitely taking it slow, but I think running and I will be together again some day.

Positive vibes, everyone!

It's finally here! I am sure some of you are losing as much sleep as I am. Have a blast out there and stay safe. I'll see you all around the expo or at the finish line.
Fingers crossed for beautiful weather and fast feet,
Jody

Getting excited!

We're just 10 days out! I can't wait to see all of my plans come together and I know you can't wait for all that hard work to pay off.
Just because the Madison Marathon will be over in a week doesn't mean I'll stop blogging. I'm in this until I get to cross my finish line, so keep in touch and let me know how your run was!
Good luck, enjoy the run, and I'll see you at the finish line.

She did it!

Just a shout out to my friend, Kari who finished the Green Bay Half Marathon today! I got text message updates on her progress and she got faster every time I got an update!
This extra-stressed, extra-sleepy event planner was so inspired by Kari's awesomeness that she crawled off the couch to go for a run today. Felt great!
CONGRATULATIONS KARI!

THE weekend

Okay, I could not let this weekend pass without blogging. This is THE weekend. Sunday was to be my first half marathon and, instead, I will be tracking Kari from home wishing I could be out there with her. I'm a little sad, but what I'm feeling most is actually...inspired.
I cannot wait to get back out and start training again. Thinking about this weekend really makes me miss my running time, especially because I'm totally stressed out planning our Madison event right now. I could really use the distraction! Rest assured, I'll be back, just as soon as I can sleep again!
In the meantime, GOOD LUCK to Kari this weekend and to all my Madison runners, I cannot wait to see you all cross the finish!

Wearing my runner cap

Okay, I've really tried to keep from writing about my day job in this blog. I really wanted it to be about running and not so much about planning a run, but I've found the two really blur - especially now.
About this time of year, I start waking up in the middle of the night and frantically scribbling down some random marathon detail that popped into my head. Of course, once I'm up, I'm up for several hours. This results in excessive caffeine intake to get me through the morning, after which I inevitably crash. I try to fight it once I get home, but often find myself napping for an hour or so, after which I usually pull out my laptop and do more marathon stuff. And the cycle repeats...
Did you notice there was no "go to gym" or "get outside" listed in that daily schedule? Bottom line, this time of year is a workout routine killer for me. I fall into deep sleep deprivation, start eating whatever junk is in reach of my desk, and skip the gym in favor of a nap.
I find myself slipping into this rut again right now and the runner in me (however long she's been hibernating) knows that no matter how exhausted, exercise will always make me feel better, sleep better, eat better, etc. I've been trying to keep my "runner cap" on as we get closer and closer to May 30th, but it just keeps slipping off! The result is that I am quickly morphing into zombie. We're talking crazy, buggy eyes, random groaning, pasty white skin, the whole works.
I imagine a lot of you come across major disruptions in your running/work out routines and my question to you is - how the heck to you pull yourself out of the sleepy, stress-laden haze?

What's your story?

Hello followers!
Nothing new to report here, but I thought I'd make this week's blog about you. The Madison Marathon is just 4 weeks away and I want to hear how you're doing! Are you excited? Nervous? Both? Are you running a race for the first time or are you a pro? Will you run with friends or family? How's the training going?
Still benched, but I want to keep in touch. I am really looking forward to running again, but for now, I'm stress eating and losing sleep, so I hope you're all fairing better :)
Let's hear about it!